Means for printing a web



July 23, 1957 G. E. R. TUCKER ETAL 2,800,076

MEANS FOR PRINTING A ms 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13, 1955 G. E. R. TUCKER ET AL July 23, 1957 MEANS FOR PRINTING A WEB 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1955 July 23, 1957 s. E- R. TUCKER ET AL 2,800,076

MEANS FOR 'PRINTING A WEB Filed April 13, 1955 v Sheets-Sheet 4 ul 23, 1957 G. E. R); TUCKER ETAL 2,800,076

MEANS FOR PRINTING A WEB Filed April 13, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 III @WTWFS: Ma 5 M Z Ol fin.

July 23, 1957 G. E. R. TUCKER ETAL 2,800,076

MEANS FOR PRINTING A WEB Filed April 13', 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I? 2/ 2/5 200 R 1'\ A IM E/WWF July 23, 1957 e. E. R. TUCKER E 2,

MEANS FOR'PRINTING A WEB Filed April 13, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ?Z2 542 aw [MW/M United States Patent 2,800,076 MEANS FOR PRINTING A WEB Grahame E. R. Tucker, Downend, Bristol, and Harry Amsel and Oscar L. Wright, Bristol, England, assignors to Magnoid (Bristol) Limited, Bristol, England, a British company, and Amsel Limited, Bristol, England, a British company Application April 13, 1955, Serial No. 501,071 Claims priority, application Great Britain April 15, 1954 1 Claim. ((31. 101-1345 The invention relates to a method of and means for printing. I

The main object of this invention is to provide a method of and means for producing "a collection of different prints containing batches of identical prints. The term print shall be understood to mean a. printed label, sheet, envelope or the like as produced by the method or means according to this invention.

According to this invention a method of producing prints consists in the use of a print-imparting element having the form of a continuous printing web on which the required printing matter is arranged in distinct areas or frames in succession along the length of the web, moving the printing web in the direction of its length relative to a printing location for successive frames to register therewith, halting the printing web at the time of registration of the frames with the printing location for one or a plurality of impressions to be taken onto a print-receiving element from the registering frame.

The invention further comprises apparatus for carrying into eifect the aforesaid method and consisting of means for forwarding a continuous printing web step by step in the direction of its length relative to a printing location in a timing for successive frames of the printing web to register with the printing location when the iiveb stands still, means for supporting a print-receiving element at the printing location, in a position face to face with the printing web, impression means for pressing the printing web and the print receiving "element together at the printing location to effect an impression, the impression means being timed relative to the forwarding means to be actuated when the printing web stands still, and means for halting the printing web in position at the printing location for a selected number of actuations of the impression means.

The printing web may embody any print-imparting medium, for example it may be a web prepared with hectographic carbon deposits or it may be a cut stencil.

The print-receiving element may comprise a blank label, sheet, envelope or the like, a succession of which are fed through the printing location for successive impressions to produce successive prints. Alternatively,

the print-receiving element may comprise a length of con-.

tinuous stationary or a plain-continuous web fed through the printing location for successive impressions and subsequently severed into separate prints.

The invention is particularly intended for cases where a large number of prints have to be produced and where small batches of identical prints need to be present as for example in the case of the dispatch department of a firm sending small quantities of separate parcels or the like to each of a large number of different destinations.

The printing web may be prepared in a machine adapted for the printing of continuous stationary under the control of punched cards. Sucha machine rnay prepare invoices and dispatch notes for a given number of customers whose punched cards have been fed into the machine and the same cards may then be fed again into that or a like machine for a printing Web to be prepared automatically by the machine. T he printing web thus produced is then fed through apparatus according to the present invention for the production of said prints.

One'preferred arrangement according to the invention comprises a printing web of paper adapted to be drawn through the apparatus, the underside of the printing web having thereon the matter. to be printed in the. form of hectographic carbon deposits which gives off a print when brought into contact with a paper damped with a suitable spirit. A second web constituting a receiving web is adapted to be drawn through the apparatus in operative relation to the underside of the printing web and pressed together therewith to effect an impression, the receiving web having previously been damped with a spirit. The movement of the printing web may be stopped for successive periods of movement of the receiving web, so that an identical impression is made on successive areas along the length of the receiving web which is subsequently severed into separate prints.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein: t 1

Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive illustrate a printing machine according to the invention operated mechanically whereas Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive illustrate a modified form of printing machine according to the invention operated by electrical means. in the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in front elevation a printing machine for the productionof prints either singly or in groups fro frames forming a continuous printing web.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 as seen in the direction of the arrow II.

Fig. 3 is av section on the line IIIIII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4-is a view in the direction of the arrow Fig. 3 and shows selected details.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V in Fig. 1 and shows in side elevation the control unit of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a partly sectioned view ofFigJS seen in the direction of the arrow VI and showing selected details.

Fig. 7 is a partly sectioned plan view .of Fig. 5 showing selected details.

Fig. 8 illustrates a detail of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 illustratesdiagrammatically the passageof 'a printing web through the machine and the positioning of the frames thereof relative to the printing location.

Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 7, the frames carried by the printing web having a different relative spacing.

Fig. 11 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequence of actions of the machine.

Fig. 12 shows in plan a modified form ofthe invention.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation on the line XlII-XIII of Fig. 12. p

Fig. 14 .is a sectional end view on the line V--V of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a detail side view illustrating the means for driving a chain for operating the machine.

,Fig. 16.is a circuit diagram.

Fig. '17 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequence of action of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 11, the machine comprises a main frame 20 consisting of a base 21, upright parallel IV in bearing plates 22,23, 24, a transverse cross member 25 driven in any suitable manner, The printing web is,

' perforated along both marginal edges as at 38 to engage locating pins 39 provided on the cylinder 35. The for- "warding' cylinder 35 is secured to a shaft 40 mounted ceiving web is also perforated marginally as at 55, the

forwarding cylinder 47 having corresponding locating 'pins56.,

i At a printing location 54 the printing web 27 and the receiving web 41 are brought into spaced parallelism face to face one above the other by the positioning of the rollers 32, 33 and the rollers 44, 45 respectively. 7

A drive shaft '57 is mounted in hearings in the plates .22, 23',- 24, and a gear wheel 58'of a reduction gear drive (not illustrated) is provided on a sleeve 59 which is free to rotate on the shaft 57. The sleeve 59 is integral with a. driving clutch member 61 adapted to engage a complementary driven clutch member 62 keyed to the shaft 57, the engagement being eifected by an axially spring-loaded driving pin 60. A crank plate 63 is keyed to the shaft 57 and carries a crank pin 64 engaging one .end of a crank rod 65, the other end of which is pivotally engaged with a pin 66 secured to an indexing unit 67 comprising an inner driving component 68 free on the shafta40 and an outer driven component 69 fixed to the shaft 40, the component 68 being associated with the component-69 by a one-way detent roller 71 lying on a ramp 72 at the bottom of a recess 73 provided in the component 68, the roller 71 providing a driving connection from the pin 66 to the shaft 40 in the anti-clockwise direction (Fig. 2). The component 69 is provided with equi-spaced recesses 74 for engagement by a springloaded locating member 75. The crank pin 64 also engages one end of a crank rod 76, the other end of which is pivoted to a pin 77 secured to an indexing unit 78 comprising an inner driving component 79 which is freeon the shaft 50 and an outer driven component 81 secured to the shaft 50, the components 79, 81 being associated by a one-way detent roller 82 lying on a ramp 83 at the'bottom of a recess 84 provided in the component 79, the roller 82 providing a driving connection from the pin 77 to the shaft 50 in the anti-clockwise direction (Fig.2). The component 81 is provided with equispaced recesses 85 for engagement by a spring-loaded locating member 86;

It will be seen that anti-clockwise rotation of the drive shaft 57 (Fig. 2) causes the pins 66, 77 each to make a reciprocating arcuate motion comprising a clockwise or downward idle stroke and an anti-clockwise or upward power strokef During the power strokes drive is transmitted to the cylinders 35 and 47 which make a corresponding intermittent, uni-directional and anti-clockwise motion the exactextent of which is controlled by the locating members 75 and 86 engaging successive recesses 74 and 85, respectively, and during this motion the webs 27 and 41 are drawn past the printing location 54 in parallel directions but opposite sense as indicated by the arrows 87 and 88 respectively (Fig. 9). The extent of movement. of the webs 27, 41 is referred to as the pull of the webs; During the idle strokes of the pins 66, 77 the webs27, 41 stand still. l

The printing web 27 has the printingf matter provided thereon on one side, being the side destined to face the receiving web 41 at the printing location 54, and successive different items of printing matterare arranged on the printing web 27in separate portionsor frames 89 (Fig. 9). The carbon deposits of successive frames 89 are shown for clarity toan exaggerated thickness. The

spacing of successive frames 89 corresponds to the pull of the web 27, so that successive anti-clockwise movements of the cylinder 35 bring successive frames 89 into the printing location 54. The frame 89 registering at any one time with the printing location 54 is referred to as the operative frame and is indicated at 89a. The frame destined next to-register with the printing location 54 is referred to as the first pre-operative frame and is indicated at 8912.

At the printing location 54 the printing web 27 passes under a stationary impression plate 91 and the receiving web 41 passes over a pressure plate 92 secured for vertical reciprocating motion on a plunger 93 seated for axial sliding motion in a bearing in the cross member 25 of the main frame 20 and adapted to be acted upon by a rocker 94 secured to a shaft 95 pivotally mounted in a bearing in the plate 23 and a bearing 90 forming part of the cross member 25. The rocker 94 is adapted to be acted upon by a cam 96 secured to the drive shaft 57 each rotation of which causes the rocker to make one rise and fall during which the receiving web 41 is pressed against the printing web 27 to effect a printing impression.

In order to make the web 41 print-receptive there is provided a spirit-applying device 97 comprising a wick 98 mounted in a holder 99 secured to the upper ends of twoarms 101, 102 secured to a shaft 103 pivotally mounted inbearings in the plates 22, 23. The arm 102 is extended into an arm 104 adapted to be acted upon by a cam 105 secured to the drive shaft 57 so that during each rotation of the latter the wick 98 is lowered once into contact with the side of the receiving web 41 destined to face the printing web 27 at the printing location 54. The wick holder 99 is extended into a tube 106 leading thereto from a pump 107 secured to the plate 22 and actuated by the reciprocating pivotal motion of the shaft 103, the pump taking spirit from a tank (not shown) through a tube 108.

Referring now to the timing of the crank pin 64 and the cams 96 and 105, the machine is illustrated with the crank pin 64 in a datum position 6411 (Fig. 11) halfway through the idle stroke, and one operating cycle of the machine is counted as one anti-clockwise rotation of the crank pin 64 as indicated by the arrow from the position 6411 through the positions 64b, 640. The timing of the cams 96 and is such that when the crank pin 64 is in the position 64a the wick 98 is in the raised and the pressure plate is in the lowered position. In Fig. 11 the phases during which the cams 96 and 105 effect a rise are indicated at 96a and 105a, respectively. The sequence of operations during one cycle is then as follows:

(1) The idle stroke. ends at the position 64b.

(2) The power stroke commences and starts the movement, of the webs 27 and 41.

(3) Substantially synchronously with the commencement of the power stroke the wick 98 is lowered onto the receiving web 41 which thus becomes damped with spirit over a length corresponding to the length of its pull.

(4) The power stroke ends at the position 640 and the webs 27, 41 stand still, a new printing frame 89 and a spirit-damped blank portion of the receiving web now being in the printinglocation 54.

(5) Substantially synchronously with the end of the power stroke the Wick 98 is raised from the receiving web 41.

(6) Immediatelyafter the end of the power stroke the pressure plate 92 is raised and presses the webs 27, 41 briefly together to produce an impression 109, the movement of the pressure plate 92 lasting for about 10 of crank rotation.

(7) The cycle is completed.

Assuming the machine is stopped after the completion of one cycle, it will be seen that the impression produced remains in the printing location 54 but that an impression 109 (Fig. 10) made in a preceding cycle has been fora warded from theprinting location 54 into a position 109a onto the run of the web 41 between the rollers 45, 46,

and in this position the impression is visible through a Window 111 in the cover plate of the main frame 20. Further, the pre-operative frame 89b is situated in the run of the web 27 between the rollers 31 and 32 and is visible on a mirror 113 through a window 112 in the cover plate 26. The printing matter in the frames 89 is so arranged that a natural view thereof is obtainable on'the mirror 113, a natural view of the impression at 109a being therefore directly available at the window 111. Thus, at the end of the cycle the operator has a natural view of the frame next to be taken into the printing location 54 and a natural view of the impression made in the preceding cycle.

As described so far, the machine makes one impression from each frame 89, but in order to make a run of two or more impressions from one frame 89 the printing web 27 is halted in position for an appropriate number of cycles by disengaging the components 68, 69. To this end a lever 114 pivoted to the driving component 68 is provided with an extension 115 extending into the recess '73, and anti-clockwise pivotal motion (Fig. 2) of the lever 114 causes the extension 115 to push the roller 71 into the end of the recess 73 containing the low end of the ramp 72 whereby any drive between the components 68 and 69 is disengaged. The lever 114 is adapted to be releasably located in either the engaged position (as illustrated) or in the disengaged position by a spring-loaded pawl 116 engaging a notch 117 or a notch 118, these notches being provided on the component 68.

The lever 114 is operated in conjunction with a control unit 119 adapted to be manually pre-set so that the printing web 27 is forwarded by only one frame 89 during the first cycle of a run and the machine as a whole is stopped at the end of the run.

The drawings show the machine as stopped at the end of one run oft the frame 89a, referred to as the first run, and prior to the performance of a further run, referred as the second run, off the frame 89b.

The control unit 119 comprises a first control member 121 consisting of a circumferentially knurled disc 122 mounted for free rotation on a pin 120 secured between the plates 23, 24 of the main frame 20. The disc 122 has secured thereto a co-axial drum 123 and ace-axial ratchet wheel 124. The disc 122 protrudes partially to the front of the machine through a slot 125 in front cover 26 whereby the control member 121 is accessible for manual rotation. The drum 123 is provided on its outer,

drive shaft 57 the pawl 127 makes a reciprocating motion during which the control member 121 is rotated by one tooth of the ratchet wheel 124 in the anti-clockwisedirection (Fig. 5). The numerals on the drum 123 are arranged at an angular spacing equal to that of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 124 so that the visible numeral is changed at each rotation of the drive shaft 57, this change progressing in downward order towards the numeral 0. Fig. 1 shows the numeral at the window 126 which indicates that the machine has come to the end of a run and has stopped. Correspondingly the pawl 127 has come to face a position on the ratchet wheel 124 referred to as the Zero position at which no tooth is provided on the ratchet wheel 124 (Fig.

In its free side face the ratchet wheel 124 is provided with an axially protruding pin 133 positioned to abut a nose 134 forming part of a common operating member 135 the lower end of which has secured theretoa pin 136 adapted to engagethe upper end of a slot 137 in a lever 138 secured to. a shaft: 139 pivotally mounted in the plates 23, 24 of the main frame 20. The shaft1-39 has secured thereto a clutch operating member 140 adapted, upon movement of the shaft 139 in the clockwise direction (Fig. 5), for its upper end to enter between the clutch members 61, 62 and into the path of the pin 60 which, upon engagement with a ramp 141 of the member 140, is withdrawn from "driving engagement and the machine is stopped. The relative position of the nose 134, the pin 136 and the upper end of theislot 137 is such that when the member is raised by the pin 133 the member is moved into the position for disengagement of the clutch members 61, 62. The relative position of the clutch pin 60 and'the crank pin 64 is such that the machine is stopped when the crank pin 64 is at the position 64a. At its upper end the common operating member 135 is provided with a slot 142 the lower end of which is adapted to engage a pin 143 secured to a firstinput lever 144 secured to a shaft 145 pivotally mounted in hearings in the plates 22, 23, the shaft 145 having secured thereto an output lever 146 connected through the intermediary of a link 147'to the lever 114. The relative position of the nose 134 and the bottom end of the slot 142 is such that when the common operating member 135 israised by the pin 133 the components 68, 69 are disengaged.

The relative position of the pin 133 and the numerals on the drum 123 is such that the pin 133 abuts the nose 134 and raises the common operating member 135 when the firstcontrol member 121 travels for the numeral at the window 126 to change from 1 to 0. The cam 132, whose operative phase is shown at 132a, in Fig. 11, is so timed with reference to the operating cycle that the control member 135 is forwarded a certain time after the end of the power stroke in order to avoid the lever 114 to be moved while the roller. 71 is transmitting drive; and a suflicient time ahead of the datum position 64a to enable the member 140 to reach the disengaging position prior to the pin 60. In this way, when the first run is completed the numeral 0 appears at the window 146, a driving connection to the printing web 27 is established by the roller 71 and the machine is stopped.

When the second run is to be started the first control member 121 is rendered inoperative and, upon taking into operation a second control member 158, to be described hereinafter, the machine is started again by means of a hand lever 148 secured to the shaft 139 and protruding for manual operation through a slot 149 in the cover plate 26 towards the front of the machine. Raising of the hand lever 148 causes the clutch operating member 140 to be pivoted away from the pin 60 for the latter to establish a driving connection between the clutch members 61, 62.

During the first operating cycle of the second run the now required frame 89b is forwarded into the printing location 54 and an impression 109 is produced therefrom. For the purpose of disengaging the drive to the printing web 27 before the second cycle of the second run commences, there is provided a lever 151 secured to the shaft 95 and provided with a slot 152 the upper end which is adapted to engage a pin 153 secured to the lower end of an operating member 154 the upper end of which is provided with a slot 155 whose upper end is adapted to engage a pin 156 secured to a second input lever 157 secured to the shaft 145. The relative position of the pins 153, 156 and the upper ends of the slots 152, 155 is such that when the rocker 94 is raised by the cam 96 to effect an impression the. shaft 145 is pivoted in the clockwise direction (Figs. 3 and 5) and the components 68, 69 are disengaged.

The relative timing of the cams 96 and 132 is such that they act in succession so that the movements of the operating members 135, 154 do not overlap and the member135 acts last before'the end of the cycle, i. e. the last cycle of the first run finishes with the engagement of-the components 69,' andafter the power stroke of the fir stcycle; of the second run the components 68, 69 aidisengaged again. ""The"'s.ec ond control member 158 comprises a circumferentially knurled disc 159 mounted for free rotation, co-axially with the first control member 121, on the pin 120 The'di'sc 159 has secured thereto a co-axial drum 1 61 and a co-axial ratchet wheel 162. The disc 159 protrudes partially to the front of the machine through a slot 163 in the front cover 26 whereby the second control member 158 is accessible for manual rotation. The drum 161 is provided on its outer circumference with numerals progressing from the numeral onwards, and upon rotationof the, second control member 158 the numerals thereof become visible oneafter the other at a window 164 i'n'the front cover 26. The ratchet wheel 162 is ac mated by a forwarding pawl 165 hinged to a lever 160 secured to the shaft 129. In other words the first and second control members 1 21, 158 are of identical construction and are both capable of being forwarded by one tooth 'of'theirrespective ratchet wheels 124, 162 by one rotation of the cam 132. Further, in the side facing the first control member 121, the second control member 158 hassecured thereto an axially protruding pin 166 extending clear of the path of the pin 133 of the first control member 121 but capable of abutting the nose 140 of the commonoperating member 135 in the same manner as the pin 133. p

'The control members 121, 158 are adapted to be rendered inoperative alternately or jointly by their pawls 127, 165 being withdrawn from the ratchet wheels 124, 162. To this end there is provided a hand lever 167 secured to a slide 168 mounted for pivotal and axial sliding motion on a pin 169 secured between the plates 23, '24 of the main frame '20. The hand lever 167 has secured thereto. two transverse extensions 171, 172. The hand-lever 167"protrudes to the front of the machine through an aperture 173 provided in the cover plate 26 and e'xtended'to form three gates 174, 175, 176. The relative position of the pawls 127, 165, the hand lever 167-,'the extensions 171,172, and the gates 174, 175, 176 is such that when the lever is lowered into the gate 174 (as shown in Figs. 1 and the pawl 165 is rendered inoperative, i. e. is withdrawn from engagement with the second control member 158 (Fig. 8) while the pawl 127 is left free to engage the control member 121. When the hand lever 167 is lowered into the gate 175 both pawls 127; 165 are rendered inoperative for the purpose of running the machine without the control unit 119 when required, and when the hand lever 167 is lowered into the gate 176 only the pawl 127 of the first control member 121 is rendered inoperative.

Prior to the commencement of the second run, if desired while the first run is in progress, the second control member is set for the window 164 to show the numher-of prints required in the second run, i. e. the number of prints to be taken off the frame 89b. Since the frame 891; is visible on the mirror 113 the operator has no difficulty in knowing with reference to which frame 89 the second control member 158 is to be set. Fig. 2 shows the secondcontrol member 158 set for the numeral 5 to appear at the window 164 which means that five impressions are to be made in the second run, and correspondingly the fifth tooth of the ratchet wheel 162 is shown as facing the pawl 165 in Fig. 8, the teeth to be counted fromthe blank or zero position of the ratchet wheel 162. When the machine has stopped at the end of the first run, the operator changes the hand lever 167 from the gate 174 to the gate 176 to render the second control member 158 operative. When, thereafter, the machine is started again, the frame 89b disappears from view, the last impression 109- 0f the first run appears in the position 109a at the window 111, and the first print of the second run is being madeythe. second run continuing until, and after five impressions have been made, the pin 166 abuts the nose 134 and the machine stops.

In cases where the frames are relatively close together, as shown in Fig. 10, it may happen that the frame 8% is partly out of vision on the roller 32 but that the next frame, referred to as the second pre-operative frame and indicated at 89c, is in vision. In such a case, when the first run is finished, the control member 121 is rendered inoperative and is set to the second pro-operative frame 890, i. e. is set for a third run, before the machine is started again to make the second run in respect of which the control member 158 has been set before the first run was started.

A guillotine 177 is provided between the rolls 48, 49 and 51, 52 whereby the receiving web 41 is cut into individual prints 1 78 delivered by the rolls 51, 52 to the front of the machine. The guillotine 177 is actuated in timed relationship with the forwarding movements of the receiving web 41 in any suitable manner so that each print 178 contains one impression 109 made at the printing location 54.

The machine may be operated without the aid of the control unit 119 in which case the operator has to count the number of identical prints required in each run and simply raise and lower the hand lever 148 between successive runs, the operating members 135, 154 performing the necessary change of frame 89 automatically without the aid of the control members 121, 158.

Kit is desired to make one print only from a succession of frames the operating member 154 may be rendered inoperative as by withdrawing the pin 156 from engagement with the slot 155.

The lever 114 may be adapted for manual operation as by a hand lever (not shown) acting on the link 147. An arrangement similar to that of the lever 114 may be provided in respect of the indexing unit 78 and adapted for manual operation.

In the case when it is desired to rely for the operation of the machine solely on the hand lever 148, the slot 137 may be dispensed with, the pin 136 being pivotally mounted in a hole at the end of the lever 138. Alternatively, an independent hand lever may be provided for the actuation of the operating member 135.

Referring to Figures 11 to 17, the machine comprises a main frame 200, means for forwarding a printing web 201; means for forwarding a receiving web 205; means for applying a spirit to the receiving web 205 to make it print-receptive; means for pressing the two webs 201, 205 together to effect an impression; means for cutting the receiving web 205 into prints, all said means being adapted to be actuated by solenoids, automatic timing mechanism being provided for actuating the solenoids in a predetermined operational sequence.

The printing and receiving webs 201, 205 are arranged to cross each other at right angles, the receiving web 205 passing under the printing web 201 at a printing location 204.

The means for forwarding the printing web 201 comprise two forwarding cylinders 202, 203, one on each side of the printing location 204, the two cylinders 202, 203 being connected by a chain 208 for synchronous movement. At a locality where a straight length of the chain 208 is conveniently accessible, there is provided a slide 213 constrained on the main frame 200 for movement parallel to said straight length of the chain 208. The slide 213 has mounted thereon a pivotal one-way pawl 212 adapted to engage the rollers 214 of the chain 208 so that when the slide 213 makes a reciprocating motion the pawl 212 engages a roller 214 of the chain 208 and moves the latter in the direction of its length on the one journey of the slide 213 but overrides the rollers of the chain 208 on thereturn journey of the slide 213. A ramp 215 is provided-for the pawl 212 to pass thereunder at the end of its journey and remain in contact with the chain 208 which is thus prevented from overriding the pawl 212 under its acquired momentum, i. e. the chain 208 is forced to stop together with the pawl 212. The operative journey of the slide 213 is efiected by a solenoid 210 acting through the intermediary of a link 216 and a lever 217, the idle return of the slide 213 and the solenoid 210 being effected by a spring (not illustrated). Thus an intermittent uni-directional movement is imparted to the printing web 201. Means (not illustrated) may be provided for adjusting the stroke of the slide.

The means for forwarding the receiving web 205 cmbody an actuating solenoid 220 and are identical to those of the means for forwarding the printing web 201 except for the length of stroke of the pawl 212 insofar as the distance between successive impressions on the receiving web 205 has to be larger than the distance between successive frames of the printing web 201.

The means for applying a spirit to the receiving Web 205 comprise a wick 218 which is situated above the receiving web 205 ahead of the printing location 204 and which is mounted at one end of a double-ended lever 219 pivoted to the main frame 200, the other end of the lever being attached to the core of a solenoid 221 so that when the solenoid is energized the wick 218 is lowered onto the receiving web 205. The wick is fed with a spirit from a pump 222 operated by a solenoid 223 and mounted, together with a spirit tank 224, on the main frame 200.

The means for pressing the webs together comprise a stationary impression plate 225 secured to the main frame 200 at the printing location 204 above the crossing webs 201, 205, and a pressure plate 226 situated under the crossing webs 201, 205 and secured to the top end of a plunger 230 mounted for sliding motion in a bearing 227 on the main frame 200. The movement of the plunger 230 is effected by a solenoid 228 connected to the plunger 230 through the intermediary of a toggle linkage 229 which provides for the exertion of a relatively high pressure.

The means for cutting the receiving web into prints comprise a scissor guillotine 231 mounted on the main frame 200 and operated by -a solenoid 232. 7

Means (not illustrated) may be provided for displacing successive batches of prints and such means may comprise a horizontal table mounted on the main frame 200 after the guillotine 231 and adapted to receive the prints cut off by the latter. The table is adapted to make a solenoid-actuated reciprocating rotary motion 90 about a vertical axis. The prints are oblong and by operating the table the prints may be received thereon for the long sides of successive batches of prints to lie alternately at right angles. Means are provided for timing the operation of the table in accordance with the operation of the printing web solenoid 215. Such means may comprise a solenoid-operated punch adapted to punch a hole into the receiving web 205 every time the printing web 201 is forwarded at the end of a batch of identical prints having been made. The circuit for the table solenoid is taken through a pair of contacts situated so as to be normally separated by the receiving web 205 but allowed to make contact through said hole.

Referring now particularly to the circuit diagram, Fig. 16, the solenoids 210, 228, 232 each have an independent supply circuit controlled by micro-switches 210a, 228a, respectively, and the solenoids 220, 221, 223 have a common supply circuit controlled by a micro-switch 220a, these micro-switches being grouped around a shaft 234 which is rotated by a motor 235 and to which are secured cams 210b, 228b, 232b, 220b, adapted to act on the respective micro-switches, the arrangement being such that the micro-switches are put on and off in the sequence required for the operation of the solenoids. The circuit for the printing web solenoid 210 is also provided with a manual cut-off switch 237 so that the printing web 201 may be stopped manually for two or more impressions to be taken off one frame thereof.

There is provided a control unit 238 comprising two control members 239,241 mounted for independent rotation on the main frame200 and each comprising a ratchet wheel 242 acted upon by a forwarding pawl 243 and a locating pawl 244. The forwarding pawls 243 are operated by a solenoid 245 in respect of the control member 239 and a solenoid 249 in respect of the control member 241. When the solenoids 245, 249 are de-energised the corresponding forwarding pawls 243 are at the back of their stroke. A ramp formed by a pin 246 is provided for each pawl 243, when approaching the back of its stroke, to ride thereonto and be lifted out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 242 whereby the ratchet wheel is freed to be manually rotated backwards when the pawl 243 is thus withdrawn. The locating pawls 244 are provided with rounded operating ends so that when the ratchet wheels 242 are manually rotated backwards the ratchet teeth override the locating pawls 244; in other words, the locating pawls 244 serve as indexing elements. permitting movement of the ratchet wheels 242 in either direction. On one side face each ratchet wheel 242 has secured thereto a short co-axial drum circumferentially marked with numerals from the numeral 0 onwards. The numerals in respect of the control members 239 and 241 are indicated by windows 247 and 248 respectively. The numerals are spaced for their angular pitch to be equal to that of the ratchet teeth, and the numerals are arranged for them to proceed in backwards order towards 0 relative to the windows 247, 248 when the ratchet wheels 242 are actuated by the forwarding pawls 243. Further, the ratchet wheels 242 are each provided in one side face with a protruding pin 250 adapted to actuate a stationary micro-switch 251 in respect of the control member 239 and a corresponding micro-switch 252 in respect of the control member 241. The zero position of the pawl-actuated rotation of the ratchet wheels 242 is when the pin 246 contacts the corresponding micro-switch, and in this position the numeral 0 registers with the corresponding window.

Referring again to the circuit diagram, Fig. 16, this shows the position of, the circuits when the machine has come to the end of the first run and prior to having been set for the second run. In this position the first control member 239 has come to the end of its run and has closed its associated micro-switch 251 which therefore gives a direct connection between the point x of a current supply 260 to the solenoid 210 whereby the printing web 201 is advanced by one frame. Simultaneously the microswitch 251 has broken the connection from the point x to a common line and thus to a micro-switch 235a situated in the circuit supplying the motor 235 and controlled by a cam 235b, so that when the latter opens the microswitch 235a during the last 45' of the last cycle of the first run the motor is stopped.

To start the second run, the second control member 245 is set to the new number of impressions required thereby, simultaneously changing the microswitch 252 from a point b, and a manual switch 262 is closed to actuate a relay 263, hitherto de-energized, which in turn changes a group of four change-over switches 264 from the position shown to establish the circuit to the switch 252 of the second control member 245 and disestablish the circuit in respect of the switch 251 of the first control member 239, so that the second control member 245 is capable of ending the second run in the manner described hereinabove in respect of the first control member 239. This actuation of the switch group 264 causes the switch 252 to short-circuit the micro-switch 235a and thereby start the motor 235.

If it is required to advance the printing web 201 while the receiving web 205 stands still, as for the purpose of selecting certain frames of the web 201 for operation, a manual switch 265 is opened, a manual switch 261 is opened, and a manual switch 237 is changed from the points 0 to d, whereby the solenoid 210 is fed directly 11 a y from the micro-switch 210a and isswitched on and off at everyj'revolution "of,the"s'haft234. T f i If it'is required to 'make one priht from each frame of the web 201, the switch 261 is opened, the switch 237 is changed to the point d. i i

In Fig. 17 the phases during which the micro-switches 210a, 220a, 232a, 228a are closed are indicated at 2100, 2200, 2320, 228c, respectively. The phase during which the micro-switch 235a is open is shown at 2350. The direction of rotation of the cam is indicated by the arrow 250.

Referring now generallyv to the first and second forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11 and 12 to 17,

respectively, it will be appreciated that the apparatus according to the first form may readily be adapted for the printing and receiving to the cross at right angles and that the apparatus according to the second form may readily be adapted for the printing and receiving webs to run parallel.

Instead of being fed from rolls either of the webs may be fed from a fan-folded stack.

In cases where it is desirable to feed single printreceiving elements through the printing location, this may be done by any known device for feeding sheets or the like.

The printing web may be prepared on a type-writer.

The printing web may comprise a silk screen stencil or a cut wax stencil, in which case an'ink-soaked pad or equivalent ink supplying means is provided on one side of the printing web at the printing location.

Referring again to the first form of apparatus as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, the operating member 135 may be raised by a solenoid controlled by micro-switches actuated alternately by the control members in order to make the amount of movement of the' operating member 135 and the force necessary therefor independent of the control members.

What we claim and desire .to secure by Letters Patent A printing machine comprising forwarding means for for warding va conti nlious printing web stepbystep in thefdirect'ion hf ,its length relative to a printing location are: timing for successive frames 10f the printing web to register with thejprinting location when the web stands still,'meansfor'supporting a print-receiving element at the' p-rintin'g location in a position face to face with the printing web, impression means for pressing the printing web and the print-receiving element together at the printinglocation to effect an impression, the impression means being timed relative to the forwarding means for actuation when the printing web is stationary, stopping means forstopping the machine, said forwarding means being normally inoperative when the machine is runningvto thereby .produce identical printings fromthe frame of the printing web situated for the time being in the printing location, a control member, means for moving the control member from a manually pre-set position step by step towards azero position in synchronisrn with the impression means, an extension provided on the control member,'an operating member situated to be abutted and moved by said extension when the control member is moved during the last step preceding said zero position, said operating member being connectedto said forwarding means and said stopping means and cooperating therewith to render operative said forwarding means and stop the machine when being moved by said extension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 590,002 Crane Sept. 14, 1897 1,992,663 Gollwitzer Feb. 26, 1935 2,282,737 Mills May 12, 1942 2,530,961 Hansen Nov. 21, 1950 2,548,281 Bartholomew Apr. 10, 1951 2,682,219 Boeuf June 29, 1954 2,704,511 Malmros Mar. 22, 1955 

